The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has a small third-row seat, but delivers on almost every major crossover-SUV talking point.
Pros No major flaws A very good value Excellent passenger space Well-equipped, across the board Smooth 6-cylinder delivery
Cons Stiff mileage penalty for AWD Six speeds may be too few Slim third-row space
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe ranked #14 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Hyundai Santa Fe has a score of 8.2 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 57 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Class-leading warranty and buyer's coverage Enthusiastic V6 and turbocharged four-cylinder engines Fuel-efficient standard engine in Santa Fe Sport
Cons Meager amount of cargo room
With only three trim levels and one option, picking the right Santa Fe isn't too difficult. We think the sweet spot is the SE Ultimate, which comes with the comfort and safety features you'll want along with a larger entertainment and navigation system and a surround-sound audio system
PROS Plenty of standard features for the money Easy-to-use entertainment interface Generous warranty coverage
CONS Fuel economy is slightly below par Limited availability of advanced driver safety aids Cargo capacity falls short of some competitors
BMW has rearranged the X1’s lineup for 2018 and now offers five distinct trims—base, Convenience, M Sport, Premium, and M Sport Premium—each with more features than the last. Only a few features are still offered as standalone options on non-Premium trims, including front and rear parking sensors ($800), LED headlamps ($950), Navigation ($950), and heated seats and steering wheel ($550). Some new features join the party for 2018; a backup camera is now standard, as is BMW’s ConnectedDrive in-car concierge service. Apple CarPlay is now optional ($300) as is onboard Wi-Fi with wireless device charging ($500). A new color—Sunset Orange Metallic—replaces Chestnut Bronze.
Pros Sweetheart engine and transmission, athletic chassis, capacious cargo hold.
Cons Unsupportive standard seats, slow infotainment system, subtle exterior styling.
The 2018 BMW X1 is a compelling crossover pick for a budget BMW buyer who can’t do without a roundel.
pros Subtle but good looks Responsive turbo-4 Good 8-speed automatic Relatively good value in base guise Spacious cargo area
Cons Options add up quickly Front seats aren’t the best seats Pricey advanced safety package No manual transmission?
The 2018 BMW X1 is a five-seat compact SUV in the luxury segment. It comes in two versions: the front-wheel-drive X1 sDrive28i and the all-wheel-drive X1 xDrive28i. From there, you have two directions to go: xLine Design or the sportier M Sport Design. After that, you can add various option groups that BMW calls tiers. The M Sport Design already comes with the Convenience group, which is optional on the xLine Design. Afterward, packages and stand-alone options are available based on which initial design and group you select.
PROS Strong and responsive turbo engine Sharp handling makes it fun to drive Plenty of rear passenger and cargo room High-quality materials and fit-and-finish
CONS Not particularly quiet on the highway Standard sport suspension may be jarring on rough roads
